'[1799] Her first daring attempt was upon a Mrs. Greenwood, whom
she persuaded that her husband was in a situation of the greatest
peril, which would be aggravated by the circumstance being mentioned
to him; that he was in danger of being accused of a crime, for which
he would be instantly sacrificed, and that so relentless and
determined were his prosecutors, that unless 4 pieces of gold, 4
pieces of leather, 4 pieces of blotting-paper, and 4 brass screws
were given to her, to "screw them down," he would be dead before the
morning.
Mrs. Greenwood, unfortunately for the trick, was not possessed of
even one piece of gold, and the proposition of the "witch," that she
should steal what she wanted, so startled her, that she had
fortitude enough to emancipate herself from the trammels which had
been thrown round her.'